Christian Friedrich start pushed back, hopes can go on Sunday

Christian Friedrich was hit in the calf by a line drive earlier this summer. He pitched through it, but he believes now that it caused him to alter his delivery creating back pain. The right side of his back is locking up in his windup, causing him to leave pitches up in the zone.

He was supposed to throw a side session Tuesday, but was scrapped when his next start was pushed back from Thursday to Sunday. He will attempt to throw a side session on Friday.

“Usually when I miss, it’s down. But I have not been able to get where I want in my delivery and finish,” Friedrich said Monday night.

The Rockies will announce Thursday’s starter tomorrow. With Josh Roenicke unlikely, Alex White has become a strong candidate to take the spot. He’s the reigning Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week.

Friedrich is 5-8 with a 6.17 ERA. He has slumped this month going 1-3 while posting a 7.77 ERA.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.